Joe Paterno Diagnosed With Lung Cancer
Friday Nov. 18 Joe Paterno’s son Scott informed the Associated Press that his father has been diagnosed with a treatable form of lung cancer. Paterno was diagnosed during a follow-up visit for a bronchial illness last weekend. Lung cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer only carrying a five-year or 15 percent survival rate.
“He is currently undergoing treatment, and his doctors are optimistic that he will make a full recovery,” Scott Paterno said in his statement to the AP.
Paterno now 84 years of age is about two weeks removed from being fired as Penn State’s head football coach amid the child sex abuse allegations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
With Fridays news also came the announcement that the NCAA will launch an investigation against Penn State. NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a letter to the school that, “This unprecedented situation demands the NCAA evaluate the university’s accountability.”
